 | The Womens Conquest |  |
Third Prologue.
You
see what little Arts w'are fain to try,
To give a Prologue some variety;
Wit you have had, perhaps, in many new,
Though Farce, and Dance, (your much lov'd mirth) in few.
To give a Prologue some variety;
Wit you have had, perhaps, in many new,
Though Farce, and Dance, (your much lov'd mirth) in few.
But why Great Johnson's Ghost should thus appear,
As if to hector Wits, and Criticks here,
Who (if the Devil were Poet) would not fear?
As if to hector Wits, and Criticks here,
Who (if the Devil were Poet) would not fear?
'Twas a bold Fiction, and so let it go,
Yet thus far 'tis instructive unto you;
That should you recollect your Judging Crimes,
The Ribaldry of Plays in Prose, and Rhimes,
Johnson might rise indeed, and own it true.
Yet thus far 'tis instructive unto you;
That should you recollect your Judging Crimes,
The Ribaldry of Plays in Prose, and Rhimes,
Johnson might rise indeed, and own it true.
His Plays were Laws to Wit, and Plot well told,
But such you slight, (though wise) because th'are old;
And well it is for Writers, since that way
You might expect from all who write a Play.
But such you slight, (though wise) because th'are old;
And well it is for Writers, since that way
You might expect from all who write a Play.
True Comedy, the moral Mirth of Plays,
Lives now the glory of dead Poets Bays,
And like the Phœnix (though confess'd to be)
Produces few of her Posterity.
Lives now the glory of dead Poets Bays,
And like the Phœnix (though confess'd to be)
Produces few of her Posterity.
So rare a piece, our Poet dares not say
You now shall see, but as weak Pencils may
From Titian, or Vandike example take,
And in their figures small resemblance make.
You now shall see, but as weak Pencils may
From Titian, or Vandike example take,
And in their figures small resemblance make.
So 'twas the business of our Authors Pen,
To paint some life of Comedy agen,
And like to such as would, but cannot Feast,
Does wish your entertainment were the Best.
To paint some life of Comedy agen,
And like to such as would, but cannot Feast,
Does wish your entertainment were the Best.
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